Cotton is one of the widely grown agricultural crops in India. It is an important fibre crop, not only in India but throughout the world. It provides employment to millions of people across the globe. Though a commercial fibre crop, there are a lot of facts associated with cotton. Let us have a look at some of these facts.

• Cotton has been growing for a very long time. 
• The entire cotton plant is utilised and processed. The seeds of cotton are used as animal feed.
• The cotton fibre is made up of natural polymer cellulose.
• The longest cotton fibre is found in Egyptian, Pima and Sea Island. The length of the fibre is 1.7 inches.
• The largest grown variety of cotton is upland cotton.
• Combing out the short fibres from the cotton produces finer yarns.
• Cotton is not pure white. It has a tan colour.
• Wet cotton is stronger than dry cotton.
• Most of the disposable wipes have no cotton in them.
• The amount of carbon dioxide taken in by cotton plants is equal to removing 7 million cars from the road.
• It is completely biodegradable and can degrade under aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions.
• The short fibres removed from cotton are used for making products like cotton balls, etc.
• It is a sustainable fibre.

Cotton growth requires optimum temperature, rainfall and soil conditions. It flourishes well in hot and moist climate.

Cotton is produced in several states of India such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, etc. It is also grown in the U.S., from Virginia to California. 

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